A private security force made up of former detectives claims to have successfully prosecuted 300 shoplifters with a 100% conviction rate. TM Eye, the company behind this achievement, has been hired by retailers in London to patrol their areas, catch thieves, and bring them to justice. The team consists of 100 uniformed officers and 28 plain-clothes detectives who blend in with shoppers. They have been praised for their quick response time and ability to catch thieves in the act. This success comes at a time when a Co-op boss has criticized the police for ignoring 80% of reported shoplifting cases.
TM Eye, founded by former Scotland Yard detective David McKelvey, takes pride in their approach, which they describe as “old-fashioned beat policing.” McKelvey emphasizes that they are simply doing what the police used to do, with the support of experienced detectives. Their conviction rate is attributed to the thorough evidence gathering process conducted by their detectives and reviewed by experienced solicitors. Unlike the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), TM Eye’s legal team is fully prepared and knowledgeable about each case they bring to court.
One notable incident involved the theft of £500 worth of sirloin steak and 20 bottles of prosecco from an M&S store. While the police chose not to investigate, TM Eye’s detectives quickly identified a suspect through CCTV footage, leading to an arrest and a recorded confession. The private force has been successful in getting 98% of shoplifters to plead guilty, thanks to the additional evidence provided by retailers’ CCTV footage.
TM Eye focuses on targeting crimes that are often neglected by the police, such as burglary, street robbery, and pick-pocketing. This aligns with the concerns raised by Paul Gerrard, Co-op’s campaigns and public affairs director, who revealed that their security staff often have to release shoplifters due to police unavailability.
In response to the rising cases of shoplifting and the need for better protection for retail staff, police chiefs, ministers, and retailers have announced plans to crack down on shoplifting. Home Office minister Chris Philp has assured major chains, including John Lewis, Tesco, and Sainsbury’s, that a new specialist police team will be formed to target organized crime gangs responsible for violent robberies. However, Labour has criticized these measures as “too little, too late,” calling for more comprehensive action.
While the government has not committed to attending every incident, the efforts to create a “hostile environment” for thieves have been seen as a step in the right direction. With shoplifting cases increasing by over 25% in a year, it is crucial to address this issue and protect both retailers and their employees.